Third Quarter Moon of June

Tonight is the waning Third Quarter moon of June. Today's moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work, renewal, and self-care.

June is a month of action and movement. Today I will pause to consider what I'm acting on and where I am moving to.

Monday is my day to reset for the week and get my ducks in a row - make some plans for health and home, and how I will step up for the Natural Living Challenge.

Agenda:

1. Read "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning"

2. Zen Care for the studio

3. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Review "How to Keep House While Drowning":

I got this little book by KC Davis (2020) from the library a couple of years ago and thought I'd like to review it this month. It covers care tasks - cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and hygiene - and explains how complex these really are, and how overwhelm and energy fatigue can so easily stop you from carrying them out successfully, and why that failure brings such a baggage of shame and self-loathing.

Her philosophy is "You don't exist to serve your space; your space exists to serve you. ... There is a big difference between being on a journey of worthiness and being on a journey of care."

Chapter Two is Kindness to future you. She realized that cleaning house and self care are a kindness we do for ourselves; for example, my habit of cleaning the kitchen each evening brings me joy and peace each morning, and my "put away 10 things" habit keeps me generally content each day. 

What are some other such habits I might build? How can I create a habit for the "things that have no place?" and the "things that are overflowing"? - like this pile of papers and notebooks, and the old paintings in the studio. Maybe a habit like this:

Make something fit:

• Pick up one thing that needs a home and decide where it should go;
• If that spot is too full, empty it;
• Replace only the things I really love - make sure to leave abundant roominess!
• Throw out the rest.

Journal: Last week I managed to clear off the studio table, but the floor under and behind it is all filled up... 

2. Zen Care for the studio:

My house care theme for June is Basic Care and Zen Order. This means do the basics each week (sweeping, dusting, etc.) and find a zen balance of order that feels good.

This month my attention will be in the studio (what A#1 calls his lego room):

• Clear the table and set up for snake camp
• Clear the stack by the door - move it all out the door (also the bike and empty boxes).
• Sort bags of kid papers before the solstice for a fire!
• Empty out the paint supply shelf and make it a self-help station.
• Decide on kid tools and put them on the peg board (include scissors, hammer, etc.) - paint shapes for them - get rid of redundancies.
• Reduce drawing/painting storage by half: Recycle or donate some. Paint over some and let kids use them.
• Find a hardware bin living place.
• Edit the toy storage: Find space for marble run?

3. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Peony Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been balance and intentionality.

I begin by looking at my intentions log: I ask myself, What lessons have I learned in the last weeks? What has been completed? What has shifted? and what can I set aside? I sit with these queries and write in my journal in a reflective way - my insights, emotions, and the clarity I’ve gained during the last lunar month and how I’ve grown. 

Next I review the priorities I set at the new moon, and write about what I've accomplished. I also write about the unfinished parts, and make a list of things that need attention.

This reflection will prepare me for moving forward with grace and purpose.

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment:

This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing. 

This month I want to release my impatience and self-protection.

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 

This next few days is a time to be empty; the time for striving is past. As the moon’s light fades into darkness I get to relax and surrender to the universe. 

Some things will always be out of my control. As the moon's appearance dwindles, I let go of useless beliefs, unreasonable expectations, grudges, defensiveness, projects that don't fit into my life, and anything else that isn't working for me. I turn these all over to the Divine and give thanks, my way of opening to receive new intentions in the new month.

Then I give myself permission to rest!